THE "heartbroken" family of murdered ABC staffer Jill Meagher say they are "powerless to describe their loss".

The 29-year-old's Ireland-based uncle Michael McKeon said the family were "devastated" but wanted to thank everyone around the world who had supported the effort to find Ms Meagher.

"We are devastated. We are heartbroken. She was the first grand-child my mother had and her aunts, uncles and cousins are powerless to describe their loss," he said in a statement issued on behalf of the family.

Ms Meagher's body was discovered early this morning in Gisbourne South about 50km northwest of Melbourne, and 41-year-old Adrian Ernest Bayley has been charged with Jill's murder and rape.

Recommended Coverage

"There are no words to describe how we feel at what has happened. We had hope yesterday when there was no evidence of foul play but when the man in the CCTV footage was arrested we feared the worst," he added.

"We acknowledge the role that social media has played in the search for her. We believe that it has helped us to reach a conclusion although it is not the one we had hoped and prayed for.

"We thank the people around the world who have supported us.

"Both the McKeon family and Meagher family will have to plan now to grieve for Jillian and this is going to be one of the hardest things given that only three years ago we came together for the marriage of this lovely couple.”

"I just wanted to say very briefly that despite the fact that this is the worst thing that we'll ever go through in our lives, I've been really humbled by the support of the Australian public (and) the tireless efforts of the police and all the friends and family who have put their lives on hold to help us out," he said.

"And while I really appreciate all the support I just would like to mention that negative comments on social media may hurt legal proceedings, so please be mindful of that.

"Please be mindful of that. And I would also like to say if the media could respect the privacy of the Meaghers ... at this time that would be brilliant. Thank you.”

A cluster of bouquets laces the front of the Duchess Boutique on Sydney Rd, the store which captured the CCTV footage of Jill which has since proved to be a one of case's biggest breakthroughs.

This afternoon Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan said the whole nation was shocked by Jill Meagher’s horrible and senseless death.

“All Australians are thinking of Tom Meagher and Jill's family. Their grief and the loss they must be feeling is hard for us to comprehend,” Mr Swan said.

“Australians right across the country are shocked by this horrible and senseless violence and have the Meagher family in their thoughts and prayers.”

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said it was a dreadful case as he backed calls for more CCTV cameras.

“It’s just dreadful, absolutely dreadful. I mean, this has been a case which I think everyone has been following, and everyone I think feels terribly for the whole Meagher family; just dreadful news,” Mr Abbott told Channel Nine.

“I guess one thing, though, obviously the CCTV has been important to cracking this case and I think it is important that we get more CCTV out into crime hotspots.”

One employee was close to tears as she expressed the organisation’s loss of a “beautiful girl”.

“No-one here wants to believe it but we’ve all got to report on it, it’s really tough,” she told the Herald Sun.

A lone shamrock in a pot plant was left standing in the rain, as a sad tribute, by a mourner outside the 774 studios where Jill worked as a unit coordinator.

During his morning broadcast, ABC presenter Jon Faine said Ms Meagher's death had "touched a very raw nerve right across the nation" but would not define Melbourne.

"But Jill’s death must not come to define us. That’s not what it’s like to live in the Melbourne that we know," he said.

"This is an exceptionally rare event. Its randomness is part of what is so incomprehensible about it."

ABC managing director Mark Scott also issued a statement over the "tragic death".

"As you will have heard, overnight Victorian Police have confirmed the tragic death of our colleague, Jill Meagher," he said.

"Throughout this long week, we had all hoped for a breakthrough and good news. The police announcement is just devastating for her family, her friends and her many colleagues in Melbourne, across Victoria and in ABC Radio.

"Our thoughts are with Jill’s husband, Tom, her family and her friends. I know that ABC staff everywhere will want to send their love and support to Jill’s colleagues who have endured such a terrible week only to face the reality of her loss."

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.